The US-led coalition said an investigation was underway into the attack, adding that no coalition forces or assets were hit.Iraqi state TV broadcast numbers for the office of the prime minister in an outreach to the seemingly leaderless protests.. On Thursday, the first death was reported in Baghdad where one protester was killed as the demonstrators pushed their way toward Tahrir Square in the city centre.A ministry statement said Iraqi official Abdul-Karim Hashem told him that American troops are in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government and that Iraq will not accept becoming an arena for international conflicts.The streets of Baghdad were littered with tear gas canisters and empty bullet casings.One protester in Baghdad held up an empty casing to journalists, screaming: "Look! These are ***ian bullets!"

In the last three days, at least 20 protesters and one policeman were killed in four provinces.***s Foreign Ministry expressed hope the Iraqi government, political parties and groups would help calm the disturbances that it said were being exploited by foreign elements." Two demonstrators were killed Tuesday and at least 17 deaths were reported Wednesday, including a policeman, in rallies in Nasiriyah, Kut, and Amara, according to security officials. Some side roads were blocked with barbed wire. The mostly leaderless protests have been concentrated in Baghdad and in predominantly Shiite areas of southern Iraq, bringing out jobless youths and university graduates who are suffering under an economy reeling from graft and mismanagement.

The forces spread barbed wires and armoured vehicles to block their path. "I cant get a government job or find any other job."I came here to seize back my rights," said Ahmed Abdul-Sattar, a protester in his early 20s.At least three protesters were shot and killed Thursday in Zaafaraniya, a southern Baghdad neighborhood, according to police and a medial official. It is a corrupt government and we came here to take our rights. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.*** urged its citizens to postpone pilgrimages to Shiite holy sites in Iraq amid the turmoil.Nasiriyah has seen the most violence since the protests began Tuesday. Iraqs Foreign Ministry summoned *** Ambassador Iraj Masjedi to denounce his threat that Tehran would retaliate to a US attack anywhere in the world, including in Iraq.Middle East expert Jennifer Cafarella, with the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, said the immediate and widespread use of force against protesters in multiple provinces demonstrates "that the security forces are overwhelmed by the volume and rate of spread" of the rallies. Explosions were heard before dawn inside Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone, home to government offices and foreign embassies. "Even with a curfew, we are not turning back," shouted protester Abu Qassim. Some Baghdad demonstrators blamed ***ian-backed groups within the security forces for the violence.The coalition urged all sides "to reduce tensions and reject violence.Baghdads main streets were largely deserted Thursday morning, except for Iraqi army vehicles.In the latest deaths, at least six protesters were shot and killed Thursday in the city of Nasiriyah, about 320 kilometers (200 miles) south of Baghdad, a medical official told The Associated Press.The square has been off-limits since Wednesday night just before the curfew. An Iraqi security official said two mortar shells hit the Green Zone, falling on an open space and not causing any injuries.Authorities cut internet access in much of Iraq since late Wednesday in a desperate move to curb the rallies. There were also fires set to parts of government buildings in the southern provinces of Najaf and Dhiqar. The unrest is the most serious challenge for Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdis year-old government, which also has been caught in the middle of increasing US-*** tensions in the region. Most of the demonstrators were peaceful; many had their faces covered with masks or Iraqi flags.The spontaneous rallies have been spurred mostly by youths wanting jobs, improved services such as electricity and water, and an end to endemic corruption in the oil-rich country.Iraq is allied with both countries and hosts thousands of US troops, as well as powerful paramilitary forces allied with ***. Soon after, protesters overpowered a soldier in his armoured vehicle, setting it on fire and warning other security forces to stay away from the square. Smoke from burned tires rose above the streets as protesters tried to prevent security forces from advancing.Baghdad: Anti-government demonstrators defied an around-the-clock curfew in Baghdad and other cities Thursday as Iraqi security forces used live ammunition and tear gas during a third day of unrest that has left 31 people dead, most of them protesters." Iraqs state news agency said Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi invited representatives of the protesters to parliament to discuss their demands.There were indications that the regional tension is at play.Media affiliated with the ***ian-backed groups have pointed fingers at the United States and Saudi Arabia for the unrest. By Thursday afternoon, the curfew was extended to three other southern provinces.Cafarella said recycled rubber for sale that indicates the "potential for escalation" between protesters and these forces.The protesters then marched toward the square.